At a Glance
One of the most fundamental ways to succeed in football is to have a coach to teach you, guide you and support you as you develop into the best player you can be. There are some exceptions, but by and large, great players become great because they've had great mentors in their life. The same is true in being a father. Most men become great fathers because they had good fathers themselves, but a few men have had to transcend difficult family circumstances from childhood to become an All Pro Dad. Such is the case with Grant Williams. Both Grant and his wife Emily have had to overcome some dysfunction while they were growing up. Both had substance abuse problems in their families and both didn't have the greatest role models surrounding them. But they found each other, and as iron sharpens iron, so each has helped sharpen each other's marriage and parenting skills. Grant and Emily met at Louisiana Tech and apparently Grant fell madly in love with Emily when, according to Grant, she made him a homemade cheesecake. Not unheard of for a lineman. Grant and Emily were later married and they now have three beautiful children. Grant says that one of the best parts of being a father is "...being hands on, involved and giving them guidelines." And while Grant finds excitement playing on the offensive line, his greater thrill is doing activities with his kids including going shopping with them. At 6'7" and 320 pounds, Grant and his three children can be quite a sight going down the cereal aisle. But Grant wouldn't trade it for the world. Grant and Emily's belief in family can also be seen as they reach out to others. Emily's brother Hal has come to live with them to escape the alcohol abuse by his mother. Grant's heart is to be a male role-model for him and Hal is responding by bringing up his grades to become an honor student. In addition, Hal has a medical problem with his heart, so he now desires to be a heart surgeon to help those who suffer similar situations. Grant has been through a lot of heartache growing up and this has prompted him to try to provide an atmosphere for his children so they do not have to experience the same hardship. Grant's faith plays a central role in bringing up his kids and both he and Emily desire to embody a household pleasing to God. Grant has overcome much in football to win the Super Bowl; he has overcome much more to have a healthy, happy family.
